Community-based [initiatives/action]

According to the UN World Risk Report (2012) Vanuatu has the highest disaster risk index of any country in the world. Its location on the Pacific “ring of fire” gives it exposure to frequent seismological hazards such as volcanic eruption, earthquake and tsunami. It is also located in the tropical cyclone belt and suffers frequent cyclones with extreme winds and rainfall events causing extensive damage to human settlements and crops.

In this context the Red-Cross has been supporting the NDMO since 2010 to strength the disaster preparedness in a multi-level approach. To do so the FRC/VRCS strength the NDMO network from the national to the community level by setting up of the Community Disaster and Climate Change Committee (CDCCC) and train Provincial Disaster Committee in Torba province.

Since 2014 FRC and VCRS, together with the NDMO, have identified South and South East Malekula in Malampa province as news priorities to expand Community base disaster risk reductions activities into 8 communities.

The methodology cover the community risk assessment, DRR awareness, first aid training, development of mitigation and response plan, as well as the improvement of early warning system by installation of HF radios.

The second target will be to strengthen the capacity of the Provincial Authorities to manage disasters. A simulation exercise will be done at provincial level and a full CBDRR training of trainer will be given to the area council secretary for them to follow and replicate the activities of the project. Indeed the support of Torba and Malampa Provincial Administration in monitoring CBDRR activities will be our first priority.

At the National, support is given to NDMO to develop standards procedures for CBDRR. A contribution in risk assessment will be also done by supporting the Vanuatu geohazard in the design of a volcanic risk mapping for the island of Ambrym.

Through this three-to-five year project, C-CAP will work across 12 Pacific Island countries, collaborating with up to 90 communities on:

1.       Rehabilitating and constructing new, small-scale community infrastructure

2.       Building capacity for community engagement for disaster prevention and preparedness

3.       Integrating climate resilient policies and practices into long-term land use plans and building standards

In each community, C-CAP will work within community governance systems to:

·         Conduct community/risk mapping exercises.

·         Assess vulnerability of small-scale social, economic and water infrastructure

o   I.e., health clinics, schools, community centers, jetties, water tanks, drainage systems…

·         Name adaptation options for vulnerable infrastructure.

·         Prioritize options through a multi-criteria analysis exercise.

·         Fund one—prioritized—infrastructure rehabilitation / construction project (approx. US$50,000 per community).

·         Revisit Risk Maps to review risk to projected climate impacts—and support land use planning exercises, scaling up plans to provincial and national government.

·         Implement nature-based infrastructure activities when appropriate (mangrove reforestation, erosion control, etc.)

·         Support DRR and preparedness activities and planning.

USAID intends to implement C-CAP in two-to-three ni-Vanuatu Provinces (10-15 communities) from 2012 to 2015.